Aside from water, the most important element when fighting a fire is ladders. It is essential that a building is laddered as quickly as possible. This is for two reasons--firefighters operating on upper floors have a way to escape if conditions deteriorate, and in some cases, a ladder is all that you have to rescue trapped civilians. Ladders are also essential for getting onto roofs to vent a fire, if necessary. On Monday, January 25, KFD members braved the cold and snow to train on the various ladders carried on 39 Truck. The ladders range from 10-foot folding/collapsible ladders to 35-foot 3-section extension ladders. FF's trained on carrying ladders, raising them in various ways, extending and positioning them for maximum stability. When climbing the ladders, FF's trained on using leg locks to keep from falling off the ladder, climbing safely while carrying tools, and positioning themselves on a ladder to be safe while engaging in activities like clearing a window of broken glass. The training culminated with extending 39 Truck's 75-foot aerial to the roof of the training tower, and then climbing it while carrying a 16-foot roof ladder.